* Eligibility criteria are based on the 2011 Vanier CGS competition and will be updated once the details about the 2012 competition become available.

• intend to pursue a doctoral degree (or combined MA/PhD or MD/PhD) full-time at the University of Alberta in the May 2012 semester or the 2012/13 academic year.
• have completed between zero and 20 months of doctoral studies as of May 1, 2012 (ie. may not have begun the doctoral program earlier than Sept 1, 2010).
• have achieved a first-class average (equivalent to 3.5 or greater at the University of Alberta) in each of the last two years of full-time study or equivalent.
• be seeking financial support to pursue a first doctoral degree (or combined MA/PhD or MD/PhD).
• be invited to apply by the University of Alberta; applicants may only be nominated to the national competition by one Canadian university.
• not have already received a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from SSHRC, NSERC or CIHR to undertake or complete a doctoral degree.

See the Vanier Scholarship website for complete eligibility details

• August 10, 2011 (tentative)
  Deadline for departments to indicate support for eligible candidates whom they wish to invite to complete the full online 2012 Vanier CGS application form.
• September 9, 2011 (tentative)
  Deadline for online submission of applications via ResearchNet and for receipt of official transcripts (including current U of A transcripts), and other supporting documents in FGSR AND deadline for receipt of department draft institutional nomination letter via e-mail.
• September 12-29, 2011 (tentative)
  U of A Vanier CGS committee reviews submitted applications and finalizes list of applicants to be recommended to the national Vanier CGS committee
• Late October 2011 (tentative)
  University deadline for submitting nominations to granting agencies
• April 2012
  Communication of results to applicants

See below for the detailed timeline.

* All dates are tentative. When the Tri-Agency releases details about the 2012 Vanier CGS competition, an updated timeline will be posted.

• Students must contact the U of A department and express interest in the Vanier scholarship as soon as possible.
• The department and the U of A Vanier CGS Committee will perform a preliminary assessment of qualified applicants; based on these preliminary assessments, eligible candidates will then be invited to complete the tri-agency’s full online Vanier CGS application and submit supporting documents. Only invited applicants are required to complete the online application.
• The U of A Vanier CGS Committee will adjudicate, select and forward nominees to the national Vanier CGS competition by the national deadline.
• Nominations will be considered at the national Vanier CGS adjudication with results for the 2012 competition expected in April 2012.